TRANSPORT

Exceptions for the Application of Alcohol Limits

Stephen Ladyman: Today, I am publishing on the Department for Transport website at: www.dft.gov.uk the summary of responses to the consultation paper on "Exceptions for the Application of Alcohol Limits for non-Professional Mariners". Copies have been placed in the Libraries of both Houses.
	Following on from that consultation, I am also setting out my intentions for taking forward the work leading to the commencement of section 80 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003.
	Part 4 of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003 introduced alcohol and drug legislation in respect of shipping. In particular, it established alcohol limits and a testing regime for alcohol and drugs that applies to both professional and non-professional mariners. The Act was commenced for professional mariners on 30 March 2004. Section 80 provides for offences by non-professional mariners and allows regulations to make exceptions from the offence of exceeding the prescribed alcohol limits in specified circumstances.
	The consultation paper, the summary of responses to which I am publishing today, was launched on 31 March 2004. It invited comments on whether such exceptions should be in place for non-professional mariners when section 80 comes into force, and, if so, how any such exceptions should be framed. The consultation also invited comments on which, if any, additional classes of persons should be designated as 'marine officials' with the powers to detain a vessel pending the arrival of the police to carry out a test.
	The document posed 22 questions to seek people's views and also welcomed general comments. The consultation period ended on 1 August 2004 but responses received during August were also included.
	It is now the Government's intention to press ahead with the commencement of section 80 and with the preparation of draft regulations for an exception from alcohol limits to non-professional mariners. In framing the scope of the exception, I have taken account of the views expressed during the consultation period by mariners and their representative organisations, as well as the views of the enforcement agencies that would be expected to implement the regime. I have also taken account of the representations received from hon. Members, on behalf of constituents who have had personal experience of the tragic consequences of accidents involving vessels, where alcohol was thought to be a causal factor. What we are proposing will address the recommendations of the Marine Accident Investigation Branch investigations into these accidents. I also intend to consult on bringing jet skis and other similar craft, within the scope of the legislation under section 80, as soon as possible.
	Having taken account of all these representations, I have decided to propose that the exception under section 80 should apply to those persons exercising a function in connection with the navigation of a vessel which is less than seven metres in length and is not capable of a maximum speed of over seven knots. These parameters mirror existing provisions in international shipping legislation and so should already be familiar to mariners and the enforcement agencies. I believe that this represents a pragmatic balance between the need to improve safety and unnecessary regulation. Of course, this exception does not affect the offence (under section 80(2) of the Railways and Transport Safety Act 2003) of having the ability to navigate impaired because of drink or drugs.
	The Government now propose to prepare draft regulations and an import assessment. for public consultation before the summer recess. As before, we intend to hold meetings with stakeholders, as part of this further consultation exercise, and the views expressed will help inform the final shape of the regulations which I hope to lay before Parliament early next year.

EU Transport Council

Stephen Ladyman: I attended the transport session of the Transport, Telecommunications and Energy Council, held in Luxembourg on 7-8 June. The German Minister for Transport, Building and Urban Affairs, Mr. Wolfgang Tiefensee, was in the chair.
	The Council adopted a Resolution on the Galileo satellite navigation programme, concluding that the current concession negotiations have failed and should be ended. The Resolution asks the Commission to prepare detailed alternative proposals for taking the project forward, to be put to the October Transport Council. Council underlined that these should be based on an additional thorough assessment of costs, risks, revenues and timetable. The Commission was also asked to submit financing options, a procurement strategy, concepts for the subsequent operation and exploitation phase, and proposals for a sound public sector governance structure. The Presidency made clear the possibility that, if suitable answers were not found, the project would be ended. It was also noted that the Council should not rule out the involvement of private finance.
	In the ensuing debate, I accepted that Galileo had the potential to be a key project, as it is described in the Resolution, but that we should not proceed with it unless the costs were justifiable. While it was clear that the current concession negotiations had failed, the risks in terms of costs and timetable would not be reduced, and might be increased by moving to a public procurement. A public private partnership remained the UK's preferred approach. Open competition and open tendering was essential. It was also essential that funding for Galileo, if the October Council agreed to proceed with it, had to be found within the limits of the current budget allocations, without reopening the EU financial perspective. I welcomed the Presidency's acceptance that the project could be ended if acceptable answers could not be found. I was able to accept the Council Resolution, but submitted (jointly with the Netherlands and supported by Slovakia and Cyprus) a minutes statement stressing our commitment to the PPP principle for major infrastructure projects, our concerns on the potential increased costs of public procurement, the need for a reassessment of the business case for Galileo, competitive procurement, sound risk management, and ensuring that any extra funds are kept within the current EU financial perspective.
	The Council reached political agreement on three of the current legislative proposals in maritime transport: the Directive amending Directive 2002/59/EC, on vessel traffic monitoring; the recast of the existing Directive (as amended) on port State control; and the Directive on investigation of maritime accidents, amending Directives 1999/35/EC and 2002/59/EC. These were all acceptable to the UK.
	There was a progress report on the draft Regulation on the liability of carriers of passengers by sea and inland waterways in the event of accidents. The UK is broadly content with this proposal but, like most Member States, is opposed to its extension to inland waterways.
	There was a policy debate on the setting up of an EU Regional/Cooperative Data Centre (RDC) for the Long Range Identification and Tracking of ships (LRIT), to become available in late 2008 under an IMO initiative. Most Member States supported an RDC in principle. I welcomed the potential added value of an EU RDC and noted costs, systems configuration and data confidentiality as the key issues to resolve. The Commission gave a commitment to provide information ahead of a formal Decision at the next Transport Council in October.
	The Council reached a General Approach on a Regulation repealing Regulation 954/79 on ratification of the United Nations Convention on a Code of Conduct for Liner Conferences. Regulation 954/79 had become redundant following repeal of the block exemption held by this sector of the shipping industry.
	Conclusions were adopted on a European energy strategy for transport, as part of the Lisbon Process. The UK is content with the Conclusions.
	The Council reached a General Approach on a Directive bringing up to date the rules on transport of dangerous goods by road, rail and inland waterway. The General Approach was acceptable to the UK.
	There was a Progress Report on a Directive on rail interoperability. The UK supports this Directive, which is a key element in the establishment of a single market.
	In air transport, the Council reached a Political Agreement on an amending regulation to extend the role of the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) to flight operations, personnel licensing and the safety oversight of third-country aircraft. The Political Agreement was acceptable to the UK.
	The Council also reached a General Approach on a Regulation on rules for the operation of air services, a recast version of the third aviation package of 1992, which set up the aviation single market. The General Approach was acceptable to the UK. Two joint statements were agreed: one on working conditions of employees of air carriers in Member States other than their own; and the other, in response to a UK suggestion, on access by third countries to the internal air transport market.
	A Resolution was adopted on the establishment of a Joint Undertaking to implement the SESAR programme, the new generation European air traffic management system. The Resolution was acceptable to the UK.
	The Council adopted Conclusions agreeing a Community position on aviation emissions trading, in preparation for the September session of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The Conclusions were acceptable to the UK.
	Under AOB, the Presidency reported that there would be a further session of conciliation negotiations with the European Parliament on the Third Railway Package, and it was hoped that agreement would be reached.
	Among items adopted without debate were:
	A Decision authorising Member States to ratify the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, of the International Labour Organisation.
	Conclusions following the Commission Communication on "Extension of the major trans-European transport axes to the neighbouring countries" and "Guidelines for transport in Europe and neighbouring regions".
	A Decision authorising the Commission to negotiate with the Danube Commission the conditions and arrangements for the accession of the European Community to the Belgrade Convention.